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Ipswich school children sing about peace

Jodie RichterOctober 25, 2017
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Some of Ipswich’s finest young voices will come together to form the Power Of Peace choir.
The Power of Peace Festival is a free event on Sunday starting at the Mahatma Gandhi Inspiration Bridge, Springfield, then a walk to the train station followed by a free train ride on the ‘Peace Train’ to Roma Street Parklands.

Kids from all corners of Ipswich have been practising since July. Ipswich City Orchestra director Gemma D’Aubbonnett said the children had put in a lot of extra work. “They are really dedicated and practise twice a week. They all genuinely love it. “Some of the kids were rehearsing once a week but overheard me saying that a small group was also practising a second night a week, so the children asked me if they could come along to the second session as well,” she said. “We put a call out to all the schools and we have will have a combined choir of 60 on the day,” she said. Ipswich Mayor Andrew Antoniolli said the festival promoted peace over violence. “A number a years ago I established a committee that was all about changing the mindset of people in the community. The Ipswich Says No to Violence committee,” Cr Antoniolli said. “When the community says no to violence, they are actually saying yes to peace “It’s bringing together scholars, business people, students and the entire community from here in Ipswich and all over the country and overseas.”

Ipswich First spoke to some of them about why they liked singing in a choir.

Connor Doherty, 10, from St Augustine’s College, Year 5. “I enjoy singing, it’s nice. It creates a nice sound. It’s great to sing along side talented singers.”
Matiesa Starkey, 8, from Sacred Heart Parish School, Year 3. “I like being in the choir because I get to do fun activites, meet friends and be part of a singing group.”
Ayumi Douglas, 12, from Bremmer State High School, Year 7. “I like singing in the choir because I enjoy hanging out with all my friends who sing with me and I just love singing.”
Anna Raj, 8, from Ipswich Central State School, Year 3. “I like the tone of it. It makes the sound creative rather than just singing on your own.”
Mavis Starkey, 10, from Sacred Heart Parish School, Year 5. “When you sing it’s so relieving to be in another world. It’s just so nice to be singing with the special gift that you have.”
Rhys Fernandes, 11, from St Augustine’s College, Year 5. “I like being in the choir cause I enjoy using my voice and making people happy when I sing.”
Madelyn Druery, 12, from St Augustine’s College, Year 7. “Because it’s the joy of my life. I just love to sing.”
Joshua Jacob, 11, from Blair State School, Year 5. “It’s kind of letting out your voice. When you sing it calms you down. It gives you the opportunity to go new places and try new things.”
Paris Morgan, 17, from St Augustine’s College, Year 12. “I think it expresses working with each other and encourages different voices to harmonise with each other. And it’s fun.”
Sheridan McLaughlin, 15, from St Mary’s College, Year 9. “It’s fun. You feel free when you are singing. It’s fun to meet new people.”

The festival celebrates “Peace, Nonviolence and Inclusiveness: Celebrating the Global Mahatma Gandhi”.

The event hope to bolster community spirit by engaging people and inspiring participation and to promote collaboration between cultures.

The choir will be conducted by Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s Patrick Burns and will be singing:

  • Imagine by John Lennon
  • Sounds of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel
  • You’re the Voice by John Farnham
  • Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
  • You’ll Never Walk Alone by Rodgers and Hammerstein
  • 100 Children by Tom T. Hall

You can hear the Peace Choir sing at 10am at Robelle Domain Parkland

Want to find out more about our talented youngsters?

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Jodie RichterOctober 25, 2017
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